Chapter 26: Who Do We Listen to From Now On

Lu Chuan said, “It’s because Mom and Dad are understanding and care about me that they don’t hold our family’s situation against us.”

Even someone as blunt as Fang Daleng had to admit that his brother-in-law knew how to handle things. Everything was arranged so thoroughly—it was only right for the two families to sit down and talk things over.

Anything their own family found hard to bring up, their son-in-law already had in mind. No wonder his wife always said her husband was clever.

Once they’d settled the details for tomorrow’s visit and all the proper courtesies were observed, Lu Chuan finally left the Fang house with Fang Yuan.

By the time the two of them got home, they had an extra big item with them. Lu Chuan’s second brother still felt it was unreal. Halfway down the road, he turned to Fang Yuan behind him and asked, “They really gave you the bicycle?”

Fang Yuan’s tone was less than pleasant. “It’s for the new son-in-law. You have some face, huh? When I got married, my brother didn’t give me one.”

Fang Yuan was still a little upset about it. The husband might have changed, but she was still the same bride—so why did her treatment change?

Ever since things took such an unbelievable turn yesterday, Lu Chuan’s second brother felt like the sky above his head had never cleared.

But now, he felt like the clouds had finally parted, and he could feel the breeze by his ears.

It wasn’t about the bicycle—though, of course, the bike was expensive. The main thing was his father-in-law’s attitude, which had really put his mind at ease.

The Fang family had accepted this marriage. He might feel a bit trapped for life, but if the Fang family hadn’t accepted it, that would have been far worse.

Lu Chuan had always understood this. To have things turn out this way was truly the Fang family showing mercy to his own.

Especially the fact that his father- and mother-in-law now looked at him differently—Lu Chuan’s second brother felt especially pleased. His older brother never got this kind of treatment. How could he not be in a good mood?

At this moment, Lu Chuan really saw Fang Yuan as his wife. “Mainly, you have good taste.” As soon as he said it, his face turned red.

He hadn’t even been through much, but he’d already managed to embarrass himself into silence.

Fang Yuan didn’t notice Lu Chuan’s bashfulness. “My brother said he’ll wait for you at the school gate after class to give your friend the old bike.”

Lu Chuan nearly crashed the bike again. “Don’t talk nonsense. That’s just a classmate—a male classmate. Where did you get ‘friend’? How can you say things like that?”

If he didn’t clear this up, and word got out, he could forget about having any peace. Those brothers-in-law of his weren’t just for show.

Fang Yuan was even more stubborn than Lu Chuan. “Would someone lend you a bike if you weren’t close? Are you close or not?”

Lu Chuan replied, “We’re ‘close,’ but not in the way you mean. Don’t say that again.”

Fang Yuan rolled her eyes. Why so many rules?

Lu Chuan said, “Lu Laoda and that girl he was involved with before they got married—that’s what you call ‘friends’ in that sense.”

Fang Yuan thought of Lu Laoda and Li Meng’s sticky relationship and spat, “Fine, I’ll never use that word again. I don’t have a ‘friend’ like that, either.”

Lu Chuan’s expression brightened even more. “See, I told you not to say things like that.”

Fang Yuan was still stubborn. “How can you blame me? You should have explained it clearly.”

Lu Chuan pursed his lips, knowing there was no way to argue this one. “Given our relationship now, would I trick you? For Mom, Dad, and your brothers—would I ever do you wrong?”

Fang Yuan found this believable. No one had ever dared to fool her since she was a child—everyone was afraid of her dad and brothers. “I can believe that. From now on, I’ll listen to you.”

Lu Chuan almost crashed the bike again, wobbling all over the road. “Are you serious?” He could hardly believe it.

Fang Yuan frowned, holding onto Lu Chuan’s waist. “Can you even ride a bike? If you can’t, let me do it.”

Lu Chuan blushed again. “Ahem, you’re really going to listen to me?”

Fang Yuan wasn’t stupid. “You’re right. I’ll listen to you.”

Lu Chuan didn’t see anything wrong with that. When it came to brains, Fang Yuan never thought he’d make mistakes. So, in summary, from now on, the family would listen to him.

And so, riding the new bike, with his new wife, he headed home. For some reason, he felt a bit excited—he definitely hadn’t felt this happy on the way out.

After all the chaos at his in-laws’ house, Lu Chuan finally realized he really had a wife now—one he couldn’t back out of.

And, honestly, it wasn’t so hard to accept.

When they reached the entrance to the village, someone sharp-eyed spotted Lu Chuan on the new bike and came over to ask, “Whose family is so generous, lending out a new bicycle?”

Lu Chuan was a reserved person and didn’t want to show off, so he tried to brush it off. But Fang Yuan spoke up from behind, “My brother gave it to me as part of my dowry.”

Then she added, “My brothers care about Lu Chuan, so it’s for him.”

The villagers were left confused. “Lu Chuan? Who’s that?”

Fang Yuan was confused too. What, there’s no such person in the village?

Lu Chuan had no choice but to speak up, “Second Uncle, I’m Lu Chuan, the second son of the Lu family.”

The aunt next to him slapped her thigh. “That’s a nice name! No wonder—your brother-in-law is really generous.”

Lu Chuan figured that before dinner, the whole village would know about his brother-in-law buying him a bike.

When they got home, Lu Chuan’s mother was in the yard tidying up, even wiping down the straw fence.

When she saw Fang Yuan, she hurried over. “Er, Er’s wife is back! Have you eaten? I brought you two steamed buns.”

Fang Yuan said, “Mom, why aren’t you inside? Isn’t it hot out here?”

Lu Chuan’s mother replied, “It’s cooler in the yard, and I was just cleaning up. You’ve been out all day—you must be tired.”

Fang Yuan said, “Not really. We ran into my brother and went home for a bit.”

Lu Chuan could tell his mother’s body swayed a little, then she carefully asked Fang Yuan, “What did your mother say?”

Fang Yuan replied, “My parents said Lu Chuan is pretty good, but our family didn’t handle things very well.”

Lu Chuan’s mother nodded. “Your mother’s right. Tomorrow I’ll go over and apologize.”

Fang Yuan said, “Sure, my dad said we’re all relatives now, so we should visit often.”

Lu Chuan’s mother felt a lot of pressure. Fang Daleng was famous for being unreasonable, and their family had indeed been in the wrong.

Lu Chuan said to his mother, “This is a big deal. The son-in-law has changed, so we have to meet and explain things properly.”

His mother’s face grew serious, as if she were going to her doom. “I understand. Your father and I are prepared.”

Then she noticed the new bike her son was pushing and touched it. “Borrowed?”

Lu Chuan was a bit embarrassed. “Cough, my brother-in-law gave it as part of the dowry.”

His mother’s eyes widened. “So generous.” Then, “That’s what you call loving your daughter.”

Her thoughts circled—switching from the eldest to the second son, and the in-laws were still so kind. They really gave their family face. Of course, she was also a bit critical of her eldest.

Fang Yuan added, “My brother cares about Lu Chuan. If it was for me, he would have given it yesterday.”

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